Environmental Management Framework
Environmental Management Framework & Policy
SK bioscience implements and operates an Environmental Management System (EMS) and establishes SHE (Safety, Health, Environment) management policies to enforce environmental management. We comply with environmental regulations according to international environmental management standards and perform regular monitoring and audits. As a result, SK bioscience obtained ISO 14001 certification in 2022 and has maintained it continuously.
| Entity | Certification Scope | Date Acquired | Certification Body |
|---|---|---|---|
| SK bioscience | 100% of production facilities | November 17, 2022 | KSR Certification Institute |
- ※Research or office facilities are excluded from the certification scope.
Details of Certification Audits
| Category | Frequency | Conducted By |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Audit | Once (November 2022) |
KSR Certification Institute |
| Internal Audit | Once (December 2024) |
SHE Dept. |
| Surveillance Audit | Once (November 2024) |
KSR Certification Institute |
| Certification Audit | Once every 3 years (Scheduled in 2025) |
External Audit Organization |
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환경성과 관리지표 프로세스 구축
- 전사 환경지표 Inventory 및 Baseline 수립
- 환경지표 관리 고도화
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환경영향 및 측면 분석 활동강화
- 폐기물/대기/수질 등 환경오염 리스크 요인 재검토
- 기후변화와 연계하여 회사의 환경영향 및 측면 분석
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환경 리스크 사전 대응력 보강
- 환경 법규 및 인허가 정기 검토
- 회사 ESG 목표 및 방향과 연계된 활동에 집중
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환경성과 평가 및 목표 반영
- 내/외부 Audit 결과 변경 관리 등록 및 평가
- 수립 지표 적격성 평가 및 목표 반영
Environmental Management Policy
- 1. Throughout the entire process of worksite design and business operations from R&D to production, distribution and disposal, we put our efforts to use resources and energy sustainably, reduce environmental pollutants and chemical emissions, and recycle waste and wastewater.
- 2. We operate an Environmental Management System (EMS) and continuously manage improvement performance by regularly monitoring all worksites and business partners.
- 3. We comply with environmental laws and regulations and invest in combating global climate change and preserving local ecosystem and environment.
As a Contract Manufacturing Organization (CMO) of pharmaceuticals, IDT Biologika (hereinafter IDT) has a relatively large environmental footprint and consumes more resources than non-manufacturing companies. Thus, IDT certified ISO 50001 to set the energy management system in place and tackles the environmental impacts caused by high energy consumption. Furthermore, IDT plans to obtain ISO 14001 on environmental management systems (EMS) for facilities in Magdeberg and Dessau in 2026.
Environmental Management Governance
At SK bioscience, the Head of SHE under the Sustainable Management Department oversees company-wide environmental management, and the Board of Directors and the ESG Committee deliberate and approve related agendas. In line with the Company’s operational status, the SHE Planning Team is responsible for company-wide environmental planning and management tasks for Pangyo offices (HQ, R&D Center), while the SHE Team in Andong is in charge of environmental management tasks for Andong L HOUSE. Furthermore, the ESG Team develops environmental goals and strategies related to ESG, regularly reporting to the ESG Committee and the Board.
For effective environmental management, we regularly report the status and performance of environmental management to executives and reflect it in our corporate policies. In 2024, the HQ and Andong L HOUSE reported to the management on the environmental performance related to resource circulation, including monthly waste disposal, cumulative recycling rate, and recycling rate improvement. In addition, the Board approved the 2024 environmental management performance and 2025 company-wide initiatives. These initiatives include supplementing plan for 2025 company-wide Environmental Management System (EMS), strengthening environmental regulation responsiveness, and improving the level of laboratory environmental management.
- 이사회 (ESG위원회)
- CEO
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SHE담당
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- SHE 기획팀
- 전사SHE기획
- 전사 환경영향 및 기회 분석
- 환경 관련 규제 대응 및 추진전략 수립
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- SHE팀
- 안동공장(L HOUSE) 사업장 SHE관리
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경영지원본부
전략기획실
- ESG팀
- 전사 기후변화 대응 전략 수립
- ESG 평가 대응 및 정보공개
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Environmental Goals & Performance
Environmental Management Goals
SK bioscience has established and managed mid- to long-term goals such as carbon emissions reduction, and resources recycling to fulfill the environmental management.
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Carbon Emissions Minimization
- Achieving Net Zero by 2031
- Reducing fossil fuel consumption
- Expanding eco-friendly energy facilities
- Continuing activities to reduce its carbon footprint & Increasing the offset amount
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Resources Recycling
- Making zero landfill waste by setting up a recycling system
- Prioritize the use of eco-friendly/green materials
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Environmental Impacts Minimization
- Achieving zero environmental pollution and chemicals leakage accidents
- Monitoring process flow constantly through the ENBMS1)
- Minimizing environmental load by proactively reviewing environmental factors during the business planning stage
- 1)ENBMS : Engineering Building Management System
Mid- to Long-term Environmental Management Goals
| Category | Target | Action Plan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waste | Recycling Rate | 3% Increase (Annual) | Increased waste separation and identifying or converting additional recyclable waste, etc. |
| Chemicals | Occupational Illness Cases | 0 Cases (Maintenance) | Maintenance of zero occupational illness cases by strengthening management of hazardous substance exposure |
| Air | No. of Pollutant Emissions Violations | 0 Cases (Maintenance) | Continuation of air emissions improvements |
| Water | No. of Pollutant Emissions Violations | 0 Cases (Maintenance) | Enhancement of emission prevention management and regular monitoring |
Environmental Performance Assessment
SK bioscience regularly monitors, analyzes, and assesses the Company’s environmental management performance. Our key operation, Andong L HOUSE, maintains ISO 14001 certification, the international standard for environmental management system. In accordance with ISO 14001, we conduct an Environmental Management Review (EMR) on a quarterly basis to check the system operation status, and the results are reported to key executives, including the CEO.
Additionally, we ensure objective and transparent monitoring of our environmental management system by conducting annual third-party verifications. Furthermore, we conduct quantitative and qualitative assessments by incorporating environmental factors into Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of the Head of SHE. And we are working to refine evaluation components to reflect the global business environmental change and the needs of external stakeholders.
IDT has several buildings and equipment, which fall under the German restriction of the Federal Emission Control Act and the Water conservation Act. According to those two federal top-level Acts, IDT is periodically inspected and audited by governmental representatives. Those environmental impact audits are embodied into an annual wastewater treatment plant audit, inspections once every three years, and audits of cooling towers once every five years. No deviation was detected in the governmental inspection and audits in 2024, and annual environmental report is presented to and approved by the C-suite.
Compliance with Environmental Regulations
SK bioscience conducts annual compliance assessment for 12 environmental laws, including the Water Environment Conservation Act, Clean Air Conservation Act, Wastes Control Act, and Chemicals Control Act to identify environmental risks and opportunities. Recognizing the dynamic nature of environmental regulations, we maintain and update a documented list of applicable laws to our facilities. Detailed compliance assessment for individual regulations helps us identify and address any deficiencies early, facilitating timely corrective actions and improvements. As a result of our systematic management following the PDCA Cycle on a yearly basis, we have not been cited for any violations of environmental laws and regulations during the past four years (2021-2024) of regulatory visits.
Regulatory Response Strategy
SK bioscience monitors major domestic and international laws and regulations related to our business activities, and has established a strategy to proactively respond to them. To operate this systematically, we have managed monthly data for each indicator in the internal data management network (DIP Portal), and as a result, no violations of environmental laws and regulations have occurred.
| Regulation | Regulatory Strategy & Response |
|---|---|
| Water Environment Conservation Act | SK bioscience has established a water quality management plan in accordance with the Water Environment Conservation Act, and minimizes water pollutants through regular water quality monitoring, appropriate wastewater treatment processes, and handling by third-parties. |
| Clean Air Conservation Act | SK bioscience continuously monitors air pollutants generated through business operations to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Clean Air Conservation Act by conducting regular self-measurement of air pollutants and obtaining legal authorization for facilities changes. |
| Wastes Control Act | SK bioscience consigns all waste generated at worksites to waste disposal companies in accordance with the Wastes Control Act. In addition, we have established a monitoring system for waste disposal, continuously evaluate waste disposal companies, and change the companies that can handle recycling to improve the recycling rate at workplaces. |
| Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth for Coping with Climate Crisis | SK bioscience has voluntarily measured and verified the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions of Andong L HOUSE and Pangyo sites since 2022 to respond to the climate crisis and realize carbon neutrality, and we are systemically managing the emissions status under the GHG emissions target since 2024 as Andong L HOUSE has been selected as a target management worksite. |
Environmental Management Activities
Building Eco-friendly Worksites
LEED Certification Achievement
LEED Gold-level Certification
SK bioscience has applied eco-friendly technologies to the design and construction stages of each business sites. The HQ and R&D Center have earned a Grade 1 Energy Efficiency for office buildings, and the highest grade in domestic and international eco-friendly building certifications by applying 101 eco-friendly materials and technologies.
Andong L HOUSE applied 16 new eco-friendly technologies, including eco-friendly and well-being technologies that save energy and water resources. The factory was designed to achieve up to 30% energy savings compared to conventional methods by introducing LED lighting and toilet water recycling facilities. As a result, it became the world’s first LEED Gold-certified eco-friendly pharmaceutical factory in 2013.
The Songdo R&PD Center incorporated Incheon’s Green Building design standards, Grade 1+ Energy Efficiency and LEED Gold design standards into the building design process to effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote low-carbon green growth.
Establishment of Eco-Friendly Infrastructure at Worksites
SK bioscience operates eco-friendly vehicles to reduce air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions from its corporate fleet. By the end of 2024, six eco-friendly vehicles are in operation, with plans to gradually increase this rate to 22% by the time the Company relocates to the Global R&PD Center in 2026.
In parallel, SK bioscience is enhancing its green infrastructure by installing electric vehicle charging stations at the Global R&PD Center. These initiatives are part of the Company’s efforts to reinforce practical environmental management and establish a robust low-carbon operational foundation.
Environmental Training
SK bioscience conducts environmental trainings through mySUNI, the SK education platform, to enhance employees’ understanding of environmental risks and promote eco-friendly activities. The program covers ESG trends and essential concepts for implementing environmental management, such as RE100, Net Zero, and eco-friendly technologies. We actively enhance employees’ understanding and encourage eco-friendly practices in their daily lives.
At Andong L HOUSE, we include the environmental management program in the 'safety and health training at recruitment' targeting new employees, and effectively enhance employees' understanding of environmental management through practical training on the status of environmental facilities in the worksite, environmental hazards, and waste discharge management.
Starting from 2025, we will expand environmental trainings for all employees by establishing a separate environmental-themed training courses with the goal of strengthening company-wide environmental awareness.
2024 Environmental Training Status
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Training Name | Environmental Management Training |
| Purpose | Raising environmental awareness among new hires |
| Target | New Hires |
| Total Number of Trainees | 94 persons |
| Training Hours per Person | 1 Hour |
Purchasing Eco-friendly Products
SK bioscience is dedicated to minimizing environmental risks by promoting the use of eco-friendly raw materials among major suppliers. In this way, we strive to reduce environmental risks throughout the production process and promote a culture of sustainable purchasing.
In the future, we aim to gather data on carbon emissions and the environmental impact of these suppliers, and are committed to gradually incorporating environmental factors into our supplier selection and evaluation processes, making them crucial indicators. Based on this framework, we will expand the purchase of green raw materials and strengthen our sustainable procurement strategies.
Evaluation Criteria for Purchasing Eco-friendly Raw Materials
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Certification Marks Utilization
Using ISO 14001, an eco-friendly product certification of an international environmental protection organization, as an evaluation criterion during supplier selection
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Eco-friendly Manufacturing Process
Reviewing the use of eco-friendly methods during the manufacturing processes
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Eco-friendly Packaging
Promoting the use of paper and biodegradable plastics in packaging
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Recyclable & Sustainable Raw Materials
Considering the recyclability and sustainability of raw materials when making a purchase
Supporting Supply Chain Environmental Management
SK bioscience systematically evaluates the environmental management capabilities and environmental risks of its suppliers through ESG management assessment in the supply chain. We evaluate the overall environmental management level of suppliers, including environmental goals and policies, environmental management system, and conduct the assessment by segmenting areas such as greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption.
Furthermore, based on the assessment results, we suggest short-, mid-, and long-term improvement tasks for each supplier and provide comprehensive improvement consulting to support various improvement measures to establish environmental management in the supply chain.
| Assessment Area | Content |
|---|---|
| Environmental Management | Establishment of environmental goals and policies / Environmental management implementation system / Monitoring environmental management performance / Violations of environmental laws and regulations |
| GHG Emissions | GHG emissions measurement / Efforts to reduce GHG emissions |
| Energy Consumption | Energy usage measurement / Renewable energy usage measurement |
| Raw Materials | Raw materials usage efficiency system / Recycled raw materials usage measurement |
| Waste Management | Waste footprint measurement / Waste reduction & recycling / Waste recycling measurement |
| Hazardous Chemicals | Hazardous chemical emissions measurement / Product contents monitoring / Management of lifecycle safety management of hazardous chemicals |
| Air Pollutants | Air pollutants emissions measurement / Facilities to reduce air pollutants emissions |
| Water Resource Management | Water usage measurement / Facilities for water pollutants control & treatment / System for water usage reduction |